Whose fault is this? Pastors? Youth leaders? The encroaching culture? Or the youth themselves?
Scott T. Brown, a former church youth leader in California, believes that everyone shares in the blame. But his focus now is fixing the problem. In fact, Brown now heads an organization called, the National Center for Family Integrated Churches, which argues that the modern concept of youth ministry is a “50-year failed experiment" because it was influenced less by Scripture and more by humanistic philosophies.
“The church has become divided generationally,” Brown said. “It’s not doing what Scripture prescribes and is actually doing something foreign to Scripture by dividing people by age or by life stage.”
The organization enlisted the involvement of LeClerc Brothers Motion Pictures to promote a healthier, more successful approach to youth ministry. And the documentary film thus produced, “Divided: Is Age-Segregated Ministry Multiplying or Dividing the Church?” can be watched online -- for free -- until Sept. 15.
The movie follows young Christian filmmaker Philip LeClerc on a quest to find answers to why his generation is increasingly turning away from attending church.And though you may not agree with everything the film presents, I believe you'll find it extremely interesting, provocative and helpful. Parents, pastors, youth leaders and teachers should most definitely take the time.
